Planet of the Apes versus Fantastic Four #4
Writer: Josh Trujillo
Artist: Andrea Di Vito
Colorist: Erick Arciniega
Cover Artist: Greg Land and Rachelle Rosenberg
Is the Planet of the Apes the future of the Marvel Universe? Or is it an alternate Earth entirely—maybe even our own?
Planet of the Apes versus Fantastic Four #4 doesn’t offer a definitive answer, but the fact that it even asks those questions gives this crossover a little more ambition than you might expect.
More importantly, the finale finally delivers on the “Fantastic Four” half of the title. As a result, this is probably my favorite issue since the debut.
War Drums
Reed Richards fashions a glove designed to transfer cosmic radiation—and therefore superpowers—from one individual to another. Ben volunteers first, freeing Doctor Zaius from his burden. Reed and Sue soon follow.
Restoring Johnny’s powers won’t be as simple. They’re now in the hands of General Ursus, who has seized control of Ape City.
Humans and apes are ultimately forced to stand together against Ursus, the Red Ghost, and Doctor Doom. In the end, the Fantastic Four return home, but Reed leaves with a promise to someday come back and help change this world for the better.
Opposing Forces
This issue, and the series as a whole, can be summed up like this: fun, but inconsequential.
The Fantastic Four were characterized well overall, with just a few blips in issue #2. The ape characters were interesting enough, with clear parallels drawn between them and the FF. The Red Ghost and Doctor Doom were their scheming selves.
Individually, most of the elements work. Together, they never become more than the sum of their parts.
I did enjoy the Watcher’s appearance at the end of the issue. The questions raised here add weight to the events of this series, making it feel more important.
I get that this was just meant to be a fun “popcorn” book that mixed together two beloved properties. I do. It’s just that, by adding those heavier questions at the end, the creators made me realize that the series could have been so much more.
Multiple compelling ideas are introduced here: the ape caste system and prejudice toward “lesser” apes, the enslavement of humans, even the Fantastic Four grappling with literal helplessness after losing their powers. Any one of those ideas could have supported an entire series. Here, they’re mostly touched on and moved past. The result feels less like a bad comic than a missed opportunity.
Worker Caste
When you’re working with licensed properties, there’s naturally more oversight and more limitations. So I think the fact that Josh Trujillo and Andrea Di Vito gave us a story of the quality they did is impressive.
Trujillo has a great grasp on the voices for the Fantastic Four. In particular, his Ben Grimm shines—the scene where he tells Zaius that being the Thing is his burden alone, he wouldn’t wish it on even his worst enemy, is a perfect insight to his character. Reed’s promise to return to this world later, and his many sleepless nights trying to do just that, is pitch-perfect as well. I just wish the ape characters fared as well. I actually have to keep checking my notes to remember which one is which. They all have their own traits and voices, but none are developed enough to truly stand out.
Just as the FF are restored this issue, so is Andrea Di Vito’s artwork. In previous issues, his work felt too rough and unfinished. Here, he is back to the usual level of polish I expect from his work. He’s always handled action well, so there are plenty of strong moments here. My personal favorite is Johnny’s “Flame On” moment, you can feel the heat and power radiating from the young man.
Of course, part of that is thanks to the color work of Erick Arciniega. The FF and their powers are rendered brightly, making them stand out from the dirt and grime of the apes and their world. The pages with the Watcher have a bit of a darker tone to them, which adds to the overall weight of the questions raised.
Restoration
In the end, Planet of the Apes versus Fantastic Four #4 is the definition of a “popcorn” book— a fun time that doesn’t delve too deeply into any of the heavier and more interesting issues raised over the course of the miniseries. Fans of both properties will enjoy themselves within these pages, but they’ll likely come away wishing the series had aimed a little higher.